Device for transforming a motor-car into a sled.



'1. E. OLLWIER. DEVICE FOR TRANSFOHMING A MOTOR CAR INTO A SLED.

APPucANo'N man OCI. 5. 1911:.

Lg, Paned May 15, 1917,

, SSHEETS-SHEIET l. FTQ- l 1. E. ULLIVI'ER. DEVICE FOR TRNSFORMiNG A MOTOR CAR INTO A SLED.

APPUCATION mfnoc. 5, 1914. Y

Patented May 15, 1917.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

pir-irren JOCELYN FMLE LLVIER, F LA VIGNETTE ST. GERVAIS, FRANCE.

DEVXC FR TRANSPORT/UNG A MOTOR-CAR INT() A SLED.

Specification of LetterslPatent.-

Application lecl October 5, 1914;. Serial No. 565,160.

To all vvll/tom 'it may concern.'

le it known that l, JocnLrN EMILE OL- urina, a citizen of the Republic of France, residing at lla Vignette St. Gervais, France, have invented certainnew and uset'ul'Devices for Transforming abfiotor Car into a Filed, of which the tolloiving is a speciiication.

The invention relates to a disxnountable device tor transforming a motor ear into an automobile Sledge by using its rear driving wheels.

` lt consists broadly in providing underneath the 'front Wheels and on theside or in t'ront of the rear Wheels, runners' lifted to the chassis, and in transforming the rear wheels into driving means comprising mov* able spikes bearing with their backs on the tire of the Wheel. These spikes penetrate with their external portions forming claws, into the snow and thus propel the sledge which is steered by means et' the front wheel runners.

T he accompanying drawing sho\vs,by way of example, certain constructional Ylorrns of the device. embodying the invention.

Figure 1 shows the Whole'of the transformed vehicle.

Figs. 2 and 3 are a side and end elevation, respectively, of the front wheel runners showing the same mounted upon the wheels.

Fig. 4 is a detail oi a device for applying Y the runner. on the Wheel.

Fig. 5 is a modiiication of theVv front Wheel ruimer.

Figs. 6 and are a side and an end elevation, respectively, ot a device for mounting the rear runner on the chassis )vhile Figs. 8 to 11 are modiications of the mounting of the rear runners.

Figs. 12 to 15sho\v in side elevation and in section on lines -13-13, 11i-11i,

15-15 (Fig. 2) respectively a preferred torni of runners made ofmsteel:

Figs. 16 and 17 are sections through other constructions of runners.

Figs. 8 and in axial section the rear Wheel provided with a propelling device in the case of oscillating spikes. Figs. 20 to 28 ornis ot the propelling spikeSf.

and 19 show in side elevation showv'details diriernt y Figs. 24 and 25 are simplified mountings of spikes disposed radially and sliding in slide-Ways.

Fig. 26 illustrates a simplified mounting ofthe spikes upon oscillating' rods.

Fig. 27 is an enlarged'detail fragmentary view showing the means for throwing the spikes outwardly from the tire after the spikes leave the ground.

ln carrying the invention into eect Yas illustrated, upon each front Wheel (see Figs. 2 to 5) a runner 1 is fixed through the medium of a shoe 2 made of Wood or other material, and of a steel band 3 surrounding the wheel, secured. at a point 4 of the runner and tightened by means of a nut the shoe 2 and the steel band 3 are retained upon the rim by means of collars 6 and stirrups 7, respectively, sur-' rounding the latter. Thefront runners are thus disposedin the 'plane of the front wheels and may be pivoted laterallyv from the steering wheel so as to insure the direction of they vehicle. rFliese runners) are adapted .to oscillate `about the axis oii the wheel and with the latter so as to follow the undulations of the ground; to the saine patentes May is, rear.

end, a transverse` axis of articulation 50 may be provided (see Fig. 5) between the shoe 2 and the runner 1, the Wheel being then rendered stationary and securely iixed to the chassis by means of rods, belts, orv

the like means. Finally, it is advantageous that the runner 1 should be able to oscillate about a longitudinal axis 51 (see Figs. 2 and 3) enabling it to bear on transverse uneven parts of the ground. A

The rear runners 8 are mounted on the chassis 9 either on the side of the Wheels (see Figs 6 and 7) or in front thereof (see Fig. 8) through the springs. In Figs. 6 and 7, these runners 8 are carried by a rod 13 maintained by a stirrup 12 secured to the chassis; a springl 1() is interposed between the rod and the runner the latter being adapted to rotate about a transverse axis 11 (illustrated here tially parallel to that of the rear Wheel.

medium' of suitable .100 above the spring 10 but being also adaptedlos This mounting of the rear runner is shown only by way of example, it being clear that by a rod 52 provided with a plate spring v 53, and at the other end, by a'rod 54 sliding in a slide-way secured' to the chassis, piv oted at 55 With the runner and provided with a spring 56 and an adjusting screw indicated diagrammatically by 57. Fig. 9 shows a modification ot' the construction illustrated in Figs. 6 and 7 in which the rod 13 carrying the rear runner is guided by a slide-Way 58 rigidly secured by the rods or standards 59 tothe chassis in order to reinforce the runner carrying rod in the longitudinal direction. In Fig. 10 a device has also been provided for preventing the rod 13 carrying the runner from deviatilftg laterally; a steel tub'e 60 Xed transversely7 to two longitudinal beams of the chassis 61 carries two arched props 62 secured by their ends to the tube and each provided in its center with a slide-Way 63 in Which the rod 13 slides; in the modification illus- -trated in Fig. 11, a single arched. prop 64 is fixed in its center to the tube 60 and carries at its'two ends the two slide-Ways 63 for the runner carrying rods.

It is necessary that in all constructions the rod 13 carrying the runner should be adjustable in order to vary, as desired, the normal level of the runner above the point of contact between the driving Wheel and theground for the purpose of permitting of the adjustment of the load supported by the runner. This adjustment in height of the runner may, moreover, if desired, be uti-- lized for raising completely the runner and placing out of reach of obstructions on the road when the vehicle operates as an ordinary motor car, the driving means described -hereinbefore being removed. Even devices may be provided of any construction for varying the height of the4 runner during motion from the drivers seat; Figs. 6 and 7 illustrate diagrammatically a Worm vgear 14 with which a Worm 15 meshes, controlled by a'rod 16;'- the ear 14 is maintained in pla-ce byr brackets 1 and-operates owing to its rotation the runner carrying rod 13 in a vertical movement. In Figs. 8 et'scq. the disposition is the same except that the nut forming the toothed Wheel and meshing with the controlling Wormv is disposed` above the longitudinal beam of the chassis. A simplified embodiment4 of the invention adapted particularly for use' on very Ihard roadsJnay be had by dispensing with the rear runners.

Both front andrear runners are preferably Inade of slightly flexible steel having the shape shown in Figs. 12 to 15; it will be seen in these figures that the runner is hol low on the inner surace'only, in the` center of the length thereof, the ends being flat so as to facilitate turning. The formsI shown in Figs. 16 and 17 are also advantageous; this shape may be used either throughout the length of the runner or only in the center, the ends being `flattened.

The driving mechanism shown in Figs. 18 and 19 is mounted on the rear wheels and disposed as follows z-Two cheeks 18-18 are mounted on the wheel by any suitable means, for instanccfby means of the stays 19 which tighten the two cheeks against the rim 20 of' the wheel. Upon each of these 21, a ring or plate 22 shaped as an annular crown is mounted and a series ot' openings 23 are formed in it all along the periphery; spikes 24 provided with rods 25 are pivoted in the openings 23 through the medium of the pins 26 and are thus adapted to oscillate upon these supports; coiled springs 27 secured on the one hand to the cheeks 22 and on the other to the rod 25 tend to maintain the spike 24 radially withrespect to the Wheel, this movement being limited by a stop 28 of the cheek 22 against which the extension 25 of the rod 25 abuts. The coil spring 27 is wound about the pivot 26, and has one end xedly attachedin a notch or slot 27 in said pin 26, and the other end of the spring is secured about a projection 26 carried by the arm 25 of the spike. It is, of course, obvious that the spring may be connected to the spike and to a relatively fixed point on the cheek 22 in other methods than that disclosed in the drawing. The normal position of the spikes is therefore at a *certain distance from the tire. When the Wheel turns in the direction indicated by the arrow F (see Fig. 18) the spikes encountering snow, dig in with their points and at the same time bear with their internal surface upon the tire which thus supports the suspension of the vehicle (decreased by the load of the runners).

The spikes havingdug into the snow and turning with the Wheel, they determine the advancement of the Sledge. Thus this driving means .is simultaneously a driver and a carrier, but carries only a portion of the load of the vehicle. When. leavingl the snow the spikes 24 bearing no more on the tire owing to the propelling force, come under the influence of the springs 27 (which may, if necessary, be Vdispensed. with and replaced by. the action of the centrifugal force) and move rapidly away from the tire, the effect thereof being the rejection of the snow which may accumulate between the consecutive spikes.

1n order to move in a rearward direction, it is necessary to apply the spikes againstv i theotire before theywreach the ground. The

following is `a ydevice fulfilling this purpose:-Upon a stationary part of the-vehi-l cle, for instance,upon vthe brake drum casing, a screw-threaded spindle 29 isprovided A, screwed into a.toothed .\vheel 30 forming a nut. rlhis nut 30"may be rotated throught.

the medium .of an'- appropriate transmission such as a` pinion 3l and a controlling rod or raising, as desired, the cam 33 guided by anyv means upon stationary part ofthe chassis or upon thebrake drum casing. As

will be perceived from Fig. 19, the eXtcnslonsr of the driving splke rods, abut when moving ina rearward direction, against the outline of the cam 33 when the latter is 1n the lowered position thus forcing the spikes 24 to bear on the 4tire in good time.

` The illustra-ted driving .mechanism is disniounted in the following manner -It is sufficient to unserew the bolts 34 then slide the washers QLbetWeen' the cheeks 18-18 andthe annularplates 22 and push the latter back against the said cheeks so as to dis- ,engage thepins 26 from. their holes 23. In-

stead, of the annular plates 22 which can be readily dismantled but are more diiiicult to assemblmiit is preferableI to constitute each of them byftivohalves connected through the medium vof diametral flanges; in this manner the spikes. may be mounted permanently upon these half-plates which vare fitted together or dismantled quite easily by screwing together or unscrevving the said diametral flanges.

The spikes 24 may be of any shape suitable for their purpose; in cross-section their tip will not'be 'directed 4radially but preferably will form a certain angle therewith, taking into account that `the tire receiving the pressure of the spike will slightly flatten and will cause the rod 253-25 toassume a position slightly .more inclined under load than the position vvithoutany load on as illustrated in the drawings.y

The spike may, `'for instance, have the shape shown irrdetailinFig. ,20. The part a, `Y) which bears ,on the ytire Will be preferably curved inwardly ivitha surface in proportion, to the loadto be supported. For

llarge loads the spikemaybepivoted to the rods Acarrying saine as shown in Fig. 21; in Y this manner -thjy spike bearing on the tire `will always be ih thedesired position with respect to the ground; in' order to avoid friction between4 the shoes and the tire the .ffornicrmav befprovided ivith small rollers 65.

In order to A"prevent skidding, the spikes may be shaped as shown in Figs. 22 and 23 l which are a plan and .a lside elevatin rei spectivelyLthe spike`24 beinglformed with" an edge or member 67 provided rightvan-fv' gles thereto.

. In order to avoid"lanffaccuinulation off snovv between the driving spikes, although the driving device itself insures itselfthe complete freedom of the spikes,other`devices M 'than the resilient movement of the spikes'` (through the medium 4of the springs 27)` de.`

scribed hereinbefore, may be employed. 'I

The rods 25 of the spikes 24 instead of be"- ing mounted pivotally as in the construction illustrated in Figs. 18 and 19, may bevalso slidably mounted as shown in the modiiication in Fig. 24. In this case the cheeks l8-18 comprise slide-Ways 35 in which the rods 25 slide either radially as illustrated, or obliquely; springs such as BGftend to separate the spikes 24 from the surface of the tire. i

The central cheeks 18, Fig; 19, are not indispensable for the mounting of the driving means; itis sufficient that plates22 carrying the teeth be attached to any suitable elements attached to the wheel, for example, to the Wooden ring 68, as shown in Figs. 25 and26. The Wheel is heldbetvveen two Wooden rings 68 tightened and secured by means ofthe bolts 69; upon theserings radial slidevvays 70 are provided in which the rods 25 carrying thespikes 24;. slide;

bolts or pins 7l prevent the rods 25y from leaving their slide-Ways and springs 72 apply the back ofthe spike against thetire. The spikes with their rods 25 areseparated from one another and mounted individually.

'In the device shown in Fig.'26 this simplified i individual mounting of the spikes, has been combined with the system of pivoted rods, the latter being pivote'd to the annular cheeks 78 secured to the Wooden rings 68; in

this case the rearward movement cam dedescribed and illustrated, maybe applied Anot only to vehicles adapted to be transformed into sledges but also automobile sledges.

What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is l, A motor sled having a vehicle wheel,

asled runner adapted to be used in conjunction with said wheel to raise the latter from the ground, and drivingmechanism for said wheel comprising a number ofr pivoted spikes, said spikes being adapted to swing outwardly to extract the snow from between the spikes after the spikes are released from contact with the ground.

.2, In combination, a wheel, driving mech#r anism for said wheel comprising a number of spikes, means for pivoting said spikes to'said wheel, and means for causing said spikes vto swing outwardly to extract the snow from between the spikes.

In combination, a wheel, a plurality of spikes pivotally mounted on said wheel, the backs of said spikes being adapted to bear against the rim ofsaid wheel when in'I contact with the snow, and resilient means associated withsaid pivoted spikes to cause the backs of said spikes to move from the rim to extract snow, and the like, from between the spikes.

4. The combination witlra sled runner, of a sled propeller coi-nprisinga vehicle wheel mounted upon said runner, and vdriving mechanism for said wheel having a number of pivoted spikes mounted on. said wheel, the backs of said spikes being adapted to engage against the rim of said wheel when in contact with the snow, and springs associated with said pivoted spikes yto cause the backs of said spikes to move from the rim to extract snow and the like from between the spikes.

5. In combination, a vehicle wheel, spikes pivotally mounted to said wheel, said spikes icing adapted to engage with their backs against' the outer circumference of 'said wheel and adapted to dig successively into the ground to effect propulsion of the vehicle, and resilient means associated with `said pivoted spikes to swing the spikes outwardly to extract snow therefromand stops on said wheel to limit the pivotal movement of said spikes.

` 6. In combination. a vehicle wheel, spikes on the wheel adapted to dig successively into lwheels on said. spikes adapted to engage the tirev to avoid `friction between the spikes and the outer circumference of the wheel.

8. The combination with a Vehicle wheel having the usual felly, of cheeks engaging the-felly on either side of. said wheel,.an

annular ring secured to said cheeks and provided with a .series o f openings, a plurality of spikes, arms for said spikes, 'and pins oIr said arms engagingv in said openings in said rings whereby sald spikes are pivotally mounted to said rings.

9. The combination .with a vehicle wheel having the usual felly and a resilient tire engaging the felly on either side of said wheel, an annular ring secured to said cheeks, spacing members between the rings 'f andthe cheeks, a plurality of spikes, armsV for said spikes, and pins on said arms engaging in openings in said rings whereby l said spikes are' pivotally mounted.

10. In combination, a vehicle wheel, spikes '8-0 pivotally mounted on said wheel and adapted to dig successively into the groundtol` effect propulsion of the vehicle, and means for forcing and maintaining said spikes against the outer circumference 'of 'said wheel when it is desired to'move the vehiclev on which the wheel is mounted in arearward direction.

11. In combination, a vehicle wheel, spikes pivotally connected to said Wheel and adapted to digA successively into the ground to e'ect propulsion of the vehicle, said spikes all being inclined at an angle to the radiiI of said wheel, and means Jfor forcing and maintaining said spikes with their backs against the outer circumference of said wheel when said wheel is revolved in af reverse direction. f f

12. In combination, a wheel, pivoted spikeson said Vwheel adapted to successively dig into the ground to effect propulsiqn of the vehicle, said spikes being inclined at an angle to the radii of said wheel, and a cam for forcing and maintaining said 'spikes with their backs against the outer circumference of said wheel when it is desired to move the'vehicleon which the wheel is mounted in a rearward direction.

13. In combination, a wheel, pivoted spikes on said wheel adapted to successively no dig into the ground to eft'ect propulsion of the vehicle, said spikes being inclined at ali angle to the 'radii of said wheel, a cam for forcing and maintaining said spikes with their backs against the outer-circumference of said wheel when it is desired to move the .i

vehicle on which the wheelis mounted in a. rearward direction, and means for radially adjusting said cam.

14. In combination, a vehicle Wheel and driving mechanism for said wheel. comprlsf'r' ingA a number of spikes extending trans. versely to the plane 'of the wheel and across] the periphery thereof, arms on either face".

`of the wheel to the'lower ends of which the spikes are connected, -`means upon the -wheel for mounting the spikes so as to bear with f their backs against the periphery of the'.v

wheel when in contact with the ground, and

swinging'movement relative to the rim of the Wheel. l

16. In combination, a vehicle Wheel, arms pivotally connected at one end thereto and having a freeswinging movement at the other end, and spikes pivoted to said arms. 17. In combination, a Wheel, a plurality of spikes, arms carrying said spikes and v pivotally mounted intermediate theirends on saidvwheel, a cam on one side of said vyheelcomprising a plate having a cam edge against Which the inner ends of the arms are adapted topengage for forcing and maintaining said spikes with their backs against r the outer circumference ofthewheei when it is desired to move the vehicle on which the Wheel is mounted in a learward direction.

In testimony whereof I have` signed my.

name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing Witnesses.

JOOELYN EMILE OLLIVIER.

Witnesses:

A. TRIILAT,

Louis H. Mumien. 

